[INTERNATIONAL] · Greece, United States, United Kingdom · 364 sources (showing 100)

started about 1 month ago · updated about 1 month ago

Part of situation: Plaka district explosion and building collapse (6 clusters)

Athens explosion kills six in Plaka building collapse

Athens building collapse Plaka explosion gas leak investigation American tourists Greece tragedy

An explosion in the historic Plaka district of Athens has killed six people and caused the collapse of a residential building on Lysicratous Street. The victims include four American tourists, a 78-year-old British man, and his 77-year-old Greek wife. The American victims, two couples who were staying in a short-term rental, were reportedly preparing to depart for the airport when the blast occurred.

Authorities, including Athens Mayor Haris Doukas, suspect a major gas leak may have triggered the incident. Investigators are currently focusing on a second-floor apartment, which was the only unit in the building with a natural gas connection. The investigation is also examining a gas pipe installed in the 1990s and its certification.

The blast caused significant damage to neighboring structures, including the Church of Saint Catherine, and led to the evacuation of nearby buildings. Emergency response teams, including 30 firefighters and specialized rescue units, utilized thermal imaging and search dogs to recover the bodies. Officials are also conducting structural integrity checks on adjacent buildings to determine if they require demolition.

Entities

Acropolis · Andreas Martzaklis · Arson Crimes Department · Athens · Athens Municipality · Athina Papareskou · Delta Airlines · EMAK · Edmund Hicks · Eftimis Lekas · Enaon EDA · Erisa Cani

Claims

What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.

[● 60 SOURCES] The explosion caused the collapse of an old building. enallaxnews.gr · zantetimes.gr · n1info.si · aegeanews.gr · bangkaterkini.id · +14 more
[● 58 SOURCES] The explosion occurred shortly after 7:30 AM on Friday, September 25, 2026. enallaxnews.gr · zantetimes.gr · aegeanews.gr · bangkaterkini.id · n1info.ba · +14 more
[● 48 SOURCES] The incident occurred at the intersection of Lysicratous and Queen Amalia streets in the Plaka district. enallaxnews.gr · www.espressonews.gr · dailymeezan.com · www.evima.gr · korinthostv.gr · +4 more
[● 57 SOURCES] Rescue operations are underway for people reported to be trapped. enallaxnews.gr · zantetimes.gr · aegeanews.gr · bangkaterkini.id · n1info.ba · +13 more
[● 44 SOURCES] The explosion is believed to have been caused by a natural gas leak. enallaxnews.gr · aegeanews.gr · n1info.ba · n1info.si · tolhuinprimero.com · +10 more
[● 37 SOURCES] One passerby was slightly injured by flying debris. n1info.si · tolhuinprimero.com · n1info.ba · reddot.my · ogportal.com
[● 39 SOURCES] Two women were rescued from a nearby building. enallaxnews.gr · zantetimes.gr · tolhuinprimero.com · n1info.ba · n1info.si · +2 more
[● 40 SOURCES] An elderly couple lived on the second floor of the collapsed building. enallaxnews.gr · aegeanews.gr · zantetimes.gr · n1info.ba · n1info.si · +13 more
[● 29 SOURCES] The missing include an elderly couple and four tourists. zantetimes.gr · aegeanews.gr · bangkaterkini.id · n1info.ba · n1info.si · +9 more
[● 23 SOURCES] Five people are missing following the building collapse. zantetimes.gr · aegeanews.gr · bangkaterkini.id · n1info.ba · n1info.si · +4 more
[● 14 SOURCES] Six people died in the building collapse. www.espressonews.gr · www.notospress.gr · panathinaikos24.gr · www.epirusnews.eu · www.correiodamanhacanada.com · +1 more
[● 3 SOURCES] Bakoyannis was a Member of Parliament for Evrytania representing the New Democracy party.